Ursula Frederick

Dr. Ursula Frederick is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Canberra's Centre for Creative & Cultural Research. Her work focuses on archaeology, Indigenous studies, and cultural heritage, with a particular emphasis on rock art, environmental adaptation, and contemporary Indigenous knowledge systems. She leads projects on Kimberley boab trees and their cultural significance amid climate change, and co-edited the book Difficult Conversations, exploring cross-cultural dialogue in Northern Ireland.

Projects

• Archives in Bark (2021–2025): Investigating culturally modified boab trees in Australia's Kimberley region.
• Pilot Project for Reimagining the Mary River Region (2022–2023): Integrating archaeology, heritage, and tourism in Kakadu National Park.
• Difficult Conversations (2022–2023): Art-based initiatives addressing historical conflicts in Northern Ireland.

Research Themes

• Rock art preservation and Indigenous oral histories.
• Cultural adaptation strategies in climate-vulnerable regions.
• Transnational art projects as tools for peacebuilding.

Advisory & Grants

• Accepting PhD students in cultural heritage and archaeology.
• Recipient of multiple University of Canberra research grants for Indigenous cultural preservation.

Frederick collaborates with institutions like the British Council and leads interdisciplinary teams blending art, archaeology, and environmental science to address global challenges.